Dr. Rummel et al., CULTURAL-FACTORS INFLUENCING THE ABUNDANCE OF APHIS-GOSSYPII (HOMOPTERA, APHIDIDAE) IN TEXAS HIGH-PLAINS COTTON, The Southwestern entomologist, 20(4), 1995, pp. 395-406
Several cultural factors including planting date, plant density, leaf
pubescence, leaf color and reflective wheat straw mulch exhibited an e
ffect on the development of Aphis gossypii populations in cotton. The
retarding effect of the wheat straw mulch on aphid development appeare
d to result from an increase in light intensity on the underside of co
tton leaves. Application of the insecticide, cyhalothrin (Karate(R)),
to stimulate cotton aphid population growth resulted in a rapid increa
se in aphid numbers but also appeared to mask the effects of cultural
control factors.